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Topic Review (Newest First)

02-14-2013 12:42 PM

casey1999

Re: Coolant circulation issue - is the water pump working?

If your engine does not regularly overheat, I would think your coolant circulation pumps must be working.

Here is a wild guess at what might have happened. The two coolant types you used where not compatible and did not mix. They also had different densities. So after sitting for a while, they heavy fluid went to the bottom and lighter on top. When you opened the coolant passages, you see different colors in different areas.

If you still have the two fluids, mix them in a clear jar and see if the separate and settle top and bottom.

02-13-2013 04:17 PM

Brent Swain

Re: Coolant circulation issue - is the water pump working?

Mine was running cold and refusing to warm up. I changed the thermostat and it warms up fine now.Thermostat cost me $9.
Changes in coolant colour can mean its overdue for changing and is no longer anti corrosive. A bit of water soluable machine oil in the coolant can drastically reduce corrosion.

02-13-2013 02:59 PM

chef2sail

Re: Coolant circulation issue - is the water pump working?

I would suggest that you use a special marine antifreeze as opposed to regular shell antifreze of thats what you are using, which is not poisonous to the environement, animals and humans, especially since you already said you have a leak, which goes to your bildge and then gets pumped out. Although it is major diluted it isnt good to have the ethalyene glycol which is toxic put into the water. Also some of the antifreezes have rust inhibitors different from car antifreeze.

Coolant flush should only be needed about every five years. When I was in the Navy they did a study and found that the most common cause of failure on a lot of gear was the preventative maintenance (i.e. if it works, leave it alone).

I'd install a gauge (I am in the process of doing that on my new to me boat), fix the leak, fill the system and leave it be unless it overheats.

Also if you don't have one, get a book on diesel maintenance and troubleshooting (Calder's is best I think); or take a couple evenings and sign up for a class at your local community college, some have excellent programs.

Folks don't need to know much about cars these days, they can pull over and call a tow truck - hard to do that on a lee shore at 4am when the rode breaks.

02-13-2013 01:32 PM

jaybeegee

Re: Coolant circulation issue - is the water pump working?

thanks for your feedback which is appreciated!

first of all the background and to answer some of the questions ... I empty the coolant once a year typically around April which is the time I also do an annual service. I check the coolant before every outing and most times would need to top up 1/2 glass so around 5 cl to overflow it as I have small leak around the o-ring of the heat exchanger!

So last year I removed the coolant (dark green dye) via the pipe marked in the pic above and added Shell 50/50 blue coolant - this year I did the same only to find lots of green colour coolant which subsequently triggered the post!

The engine has only over heated once - it was after a semi longish journey (4 hours at around 2500-3000 revs) and I found it was low on coolant. I removed the heat exchanger because of the leak and also to make sure it is in good shape since I was aware of the blockage on the drain plus it had never been serviced in 7 years (500hours)

After reading the posts above I have now learnt that the engine must be hot for the thermostat to kick in before the coolant is circulated *blush* I didnt know that! So it could very well be why the green coolant has not really mixed with the blue one but does not really hold as last season I did many long trips plus the overheating experience!

So as a next step I am going to drain via this syphon pump that I have ordered which has acquarium type pipe which should help me get out most of the coolant and sort out the leak!

I am seriosuly considering installing a temp guage since all I have is an alarm. Would appreciate any tips on this now?!

thanks again.

02-12-2013 03:40 PM

dabnis

Re: Coolant circulation issue - is the water pump working?

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancelot9898

Is your engine overheating under load? If not...then it's working.

If that is the case maybe some of your impeller blades are missing or severely worn?

Paul T

02-11-2013 09:55 AM

lancelot9898

Re: Coolant circulation issue - is the water pump working?

Is your engine overheating under load? If not...then it's working.

02-11-2013 08:43 AM

chucklesR

Re: Coolant circulation issue - is the water pump working?

Remind us again why precisely you are draining your coolant on a frequent and regular basis?
Checking a water pump is simple, with the engine at operating temperature loosen a hose on the output side and look for squirting fluid. Bring a sponge to the test

02-11-2013 01:59 AM

H2814D

Re: Coolant circulation issue - is the water pump working?

Are you absolutely sure you are warming the engine up to a point the thermostat is opening and allowing coolant to flow through the engine?

02-11-2013 01:28 AM

jaybeegee

Re: Coolant circulation issue - is the water pump working?

thanks for that - I did try running the engine without the cap for several minutes and unfortunately it is not an air bubble related problem!

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